I have a Pfaff that I used to take to classes, but no more. It ended up breaking. Now I take a 1938 Singer that only straight stitches. I can't hurt that one.

Mary

You have all you need to make a quilt. I bought my second Pfaff because the computer burned out of the first one. That was 5 or 6 years ago and I haven't even had the embroidery unit out of the case. I love the stitch and will keep it for a long time, but my next one will be basic, like a Viking that just sews a good straight stitch. I wouldn't drag my heavy machine to class anyway, I take my Gem. Enjoy your classes!

My class machine is a 1956 301A. She did everything the pretty little machines in the class did. My 'good' machine is a 1974 Elna Star. Between the two, they can do anything a new machine can do except embroider and neither one is going have a meltdown on me. When you get older, you'll come to realize that 'less is more' - wish I could remember to apply that to my fabric stash.

I know how you feel. I have a Bernina, yes that fancy brand! BUT it is 25 years old. Nothing fancy about it. I love, love, love it. It sews wonderfully. I have spent $16.00 on it, in the 25 years I've had it. It doesn't have any of the bells and whistles that new machines have, and I'm sure I would love them. I don't see a new machine anywhere in the near future for me, but that is ok, mine does 99% of what I want it to do. It is very heavy though, so I was soooo happy when I was given a Singer featherweight, that is the machine I take to class now. If you like your machine, that is all that matters.

I have an old Singer & an old Kenmore (my fav). I won a Babylock Quilter's Choice, which I do use, but I'd have been happy to keep on stitching with the Kenmore as long as I can sew. The Babylock is lighter, so it travels with me, but I rarely use all the fancy stitches it offers - straight & zig-zag do most of my quilt projects just fine. Your Brother probably works fine for you - don't worry about what others use.

All 3 of my machines are Brothers, and I am perfectly happy with all of them. Don't let them TOL knock it, I have never had a problem with any of mine in the 10 yrs. I've owned them... well, not accounting for operator errors. LoL! I started on an old White my MIL gave me since the feed dogs were broke, and it FMQ'ed beautifully but that is all it would do! Then she gave me a student model Singer and another Singer she had laying around and they didn't sew half as good as my first $80 Brother from Wal-Mart. I have been hooked on 'em ever since. By a newer one every few years, just because it does something new I want to try.

If you are happy with the machine you have and it does what you want stick with it.Material things don't matter(no pun intended). On a lot of these computerised machines it is just more bells and whistles to push and you won't use a lot of the functions. But it is you preference, hope this helps.

All I have is brothers and whites. They are great machines.

The funny thing is, they were probably looking at your machine enviously too thinking how smart to bring a lighter machine!

I have a computerized Kenmore and I enjoy sewing with it so much. Yes,I look at other machines and think how nice to have the bells and whistles. Then, I read the manual and find out that I can do some of the same things-so, I enjoy my machine, lug it to class and know that I can sew just as well as the next person with my machine. It's your heart that counts!